Jurors send mixed signal on Rezko deliberations

As the political world awaits a verdict in the corruption trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko, jurors sent mixed signals from the deliberation room Wednesday.

The jury foreperson spilled coffee on the verdict form and sent U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve a note requesting a new one during the eighth day of deliberations.

Since the foreperson had the verdict form out, it could have indicated the panel was close to a verdict, maybe even checking 'guilty' or 'not guilty' next to the 24 criminal counts against Gov. Rod Blagojevich's former adviser and fundraiser.

But the second half of the note requested the jury break from deliberations early today, at 4:30 p.m., instead of the predetermined 5:50 p.m. The note didn't provide a detailed reason, but said one juror "must" leave by that time.

The planning for continued deliberations took the air out of theories that a verdict was forthcoming soon.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to the modified schedule, but said there needs to be some limits if such requests continue. The jurors already are working about four days a week, and they have requested two half days so far.

The jury has Friday off, by request.

The deliberations follow a two-month trial in which prosecutors laid out tape recorded conversations and witnesses to show Rezko orchestrated a scheme to extort millions of dollars from state contractors.

The defense didn't put on any witnesses or evidence, claiming the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof.